Perry stays in ‘Family’

Filmmaker teaming with Lionsgate for 11th time

Tyler Perry and Lionsgate are teaming together for the 11th time on “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family,” further cementing a top filmmaker-studio marriage.

It’s almost unheard in modern times for a director to work with one studio consecutively on so many titles. Another exception is Clint Eastwood and Warner Bros., although Eastwood does work with other studios as well. He directed “Changeling” for Universal, while Paramount released “Flags of Our Fathers” domestically.

Lionsgate has distributed all of Perry’s pics and will unspool “Family” on April 22. Perry will again play Madea, as well as write, helm and produce.

“It’s very important to me to make movies that audiences can relate to, and I can’t think of a more relatable subject than family. I’m looking forward to bringing back Madea and the gang, and I’m glad to have Lionsgate with me for the journey,” Perry said.

Announcement was made by Lionsgate chief operating officer/motion picture group prexy Joe Drake and motion picture production prez Mike Paseornek.

Perry’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” is set for release just three months before “Family.”